Ed Sheeran has posted a long statement on Instagram, saying it was not his decision to drop Macklemore from his current US tour. The US rapper - whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty - was ejected from the line-up after making pro-Palestinian statements at two dates in New Jersey. His comments drew criticism from Jewish groups, after which some venues put pressure on the tour promoters to have him removed from the line-up.
In his statement, external, Sheeran said he had spoken with the venues "at length all week to try and build a bridge" - but the promoters, Messina Touring Group, had ultimately decided to remove Macklemore from the bill. "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine," he wrote. "Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.
"I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living." The star also attempted to explain his decision not to become embroiled in political issues. "I am not complicit," he wrote. "I have my personal views on this devastating conflict.
Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them, and it doesn't mean I don't care. "Nor does it mean I don't support causes in my own, personal way." He continued: "There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics - my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. "Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum.
I respect Macklemore's strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes. "However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: Peace. "I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed.
If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change. There are different approaches to being an advocate for change." The controversy began on 4 September, when Macklemore performed at Ed Sheeran's concert at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. He told the audience: "A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so that I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very, very dear to my heart: Free Palestine." He then performed his song Hind's Hall, which is dedicated to pro-Palestinian protestors at Columbia University and condemns Israel's military action in Gaza, while video footage of the devastation in Gaza was shown on the big screen.
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